The Cleveland Guardians clinched a postseason spot with their 1-0 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night at Fenway Park. While the work is far from over — the Guardians would love to clinch the American League Central — Cleveland will be in the postseason regardless of what happens over the final three games of the regular season. On Friday, MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa explained why he has been impressed with Cleveland's performance this season
“They just put their head down and play good baseball,” DeRosa said of the Guardians. “On June 13, Jose Ramirez got hurt, Chase DeLauter got hurt, Angel Martinez got hurt. It kind of shook them for a split second. Ramirez hasn't gotten hot the whole year, they've been able to overcome that. They're the only team in the big leagues with four starters that made 30 starts. There was consistency with what they did, right?
“It kind of set the bullpen up. There's been an influx of youth, including Parker Messick with a 2.55 (ERA). Travis Bazzana, DeLauter… When in doubt, we all know this, Brayan Rocchio.”
Article Continues BelowThe Guardians are going to be an interesting team in the playoffs. While they do feature a young roster, this ball club has enough talent to make noise in October. The question is whether or not the young talent on the roster will step up under the bright lights of postseason baseball.
For now, Cleveland is focused on winning the AL Central. The Guards hold a one-game lead over the Chicago White Sox for the division lead with a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals scheduled for this weekend to conclude their regular season.